Telephone system



' April 16, 1929. H. M. FRIENDLY TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed lay 14, 1927 RSL E mimmwmu@ NME'EBQ mmLE m54 endlg LLI @L um rm Wks wmlw Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

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HJLRBERI M. FRIENDLY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Animation med may 14, 1927. semi Noj. 191,299.

General objects.

The general object of the present invention is to enable a switchboard operator to respond to a subscribers call, indicate to the calling subscriber that she awaits his instructions and thereafter obtain the desired telephone number from the calling subscriber and acknowledge the instructions as to the number of the telephone line wanted without herseli orally communicating with the calling subscriber.

`This is accomplished through the provision of automatic means for applying a momentary distinctive tone or current oo nstituting a distinguishable sound to a random calling line, audible to the calling subscriber thereon. responsive to the operator manipulating the cord-pair listening key of a random one of her switching cord-pairs, after first inserting the answering plug thereof into the jack of the calling line. This tone apprises the calling subscriber on line that the operator has responded to his initiated call and that she is ready to receive his instructions as to the number of the telcphone line he desires connection with.

Moreover, when the operator has heard the instructions, a second and different distinctive tone is then applied audible to the calling subscriber indicative that the operator understood his instructions and has disconnected her operators telephone set from the cord-pair and is proceeding with the completing of the connection. The last said tone is applied responsive to the key operation for disconnecting the operators telephone. The

physical energy of the operator is thus conserved, as well as obvia-ting unnecessary conversation and incident delay to both the operator and the calling subscriber.

Drawing.

the accompanying sheet the cord-pair listening key shown in Fig. 1.

the calling H Fig. 3 shows the step lockin operating t preferred form of step-by arrangement for the cam for e listening key vshown in Fig. 2.

Egm'pmena The subscribers lines shown in Fig. 1 are two random subscribers lines of a system of the well known so-called magneto class, terminating in jacks and companion calling drops on an cperators switchboard. That is, the cord-pair shown to which the invention is applied is one of the simplest used in telephone systems, but serves to elucidate the invention, While not villustrating an excessive amount of irrelevant apparatus.

The cord-pair is adapted for interconnecting subscriber or other lines in the system in talking relation, as well as applying signaling current through the completlng plug, as to the called one of the lines on the left. The usual bridged clearing drop is shown, as well as the usual listening key springs. owever,l the listening key has auxiliary springs for, operating the circuits of the present invention in a manner as will be set forth presently.

The operato-r will have a plural-ity of such cordpairs; ten or more, for instance. These will be common to the operators telephone set C shown in the upper right-hand corner of the drawing. The operators telephone circuit has associated with 4and specific to it a group of three relays (10, 8 and 18) common to her said plurality of cord-pairs for controlling the tone sources shown with respect to her cord-pairs; the tone sources being common to a plurality of operators switchboards. The cord-pairs each have a specic relay for the latter said tone sources.

Operation.

The calling subscriber at station A will operate the central oice drop D1 by turning the winch of the hand generator 5. He will then remo-ve. the receiver from the switch hook in readiness to givethe number of the desired telephone line on perceiving the tone from the tone source T. The operator upon observing the operated drop D1 of the particular line calling will insert the answering plug (designatedAns.) intothejackJ. This cuts oli` the drop D1 and laces the cord-pair ,eratively energizes the winding of relay 10,

the latter relay lockingthrough its armature 14 over the traced path to ground at key DK.

' Ground through the tertiary winding 16 of the operators inductionl coil is applied through armature 17 to operatively energize the winding of slow-releasing relay 18, causing a battery click in the operators telephone, also a battery click audible in the receiver of telephone A. The attraction of armature 7 disconnects the winding of relay 8, and the latter relay therefore retracts its armatures consistent with its releasing characteristic. However, while relays 8 and 10 are both attracted specific tone from source T is applied through armatures 19 and 20, the telephone A to ground at the center of bridged retardation coil 24, audible in the receiver of telephone A and also in the receiver of operators set C. That is, a click, followed by a momentary specific tone, is audible to the Operator and to the party at the receiver of telephone A responsive to the manipulation of the listening key in responding to the call.

It will be noted, in this connection, that the armature 20 opens the operators circuit while the tone is belng applied from source T, and this serves to reduce the tone received by the operator; otherwise it need not be thus opened. This click and tone denotes to the subscriber at telephone A that the operator is on the line awaiting his instructions as to what telephone number he desires connection with, so he thereupon gives this information without oral request :fro'm'the operator.

The operator now having the instructions, may forthwith restore the listening key and proceed to complete the connection in tlie well known manner for magneto systems by inserting the com leting plug (designated Comp.) into jac J and then applying signaling current from the source GrA by the ringing key (designated Ring.) to operate the bell 28 of the called line as a calling signal.

Groinoback to the condition of the circuits at the time the operator lirst manipulated her listening key of the random cord-pair shown in Fig. 1, it will ,be noted that when relay 18 operated, its armature 30 `applied ground through auxiliary listening key springs 31 and 32 to the winding of slow-releasing relay 33, the latter relay being specie to the said aromas;-

random cord-pair, there being a similar relay, as 34, specific for each othercord-pair of the operators position connected in a similar manner to the auxiliary listening key spring corresponding to 32 of the said random cordpair. The relay -33 thus operates responsive to the rst said manipulation of the listening key in responding to a call.

Having in mind the slow-releasing characteristic of the relays 18 and 33, it will be clear that at the time the operator restores the listening key relay 10 deactuates before relay- 33, so that tone from source T is thereupon momentarily applied through armature 36, springs of key TK, armature 37 to the sleeve conductor of the cord-pair through the receiver of telephone A and to ground thrugh armatures 38 and 17 and the tertiary winding 16, audible to the subscriber at tele hone A and also in the operators telephone, t ough the talking conductors of the operators telephone set had just previously been disconnected from talking relation with the said random cord-pair and calling line. This specie tone from source T denotes to the subscriber at telephone A that the operator has disconnected from the talking connection, having understood his instructions as to the line number wanted. The latter thus obviates an oral acknowledgment by the operator of the subscribers instructions.

In this connection, it will be noted that of the four auxiliary springs (the two pairs) of the listening key,.all but spring 32 are 1n multiple relation with correspondingly placed springs on the listening keys of the other cord-pairs of the operators position, the springs corresponding to 32 being independently connected to its corresponding relay aS 32;

From the foregoing, 4it is clear that when the operator responds by manipulating her listening keyfa click and momentary specific tone from source T is transmitted to the calling subscriber (and also the operator) indicative that the operator has come in on the line. Also, that when the operator restores the listening key a momentary specific tone from source T is transmitted to the calling subscribers telephone and also to the operators telephone which latter .telephone has beforehand been disconnected, indicative to the subscriber that the operator has disconnected from his line.

It will be noted that by operating the key DK the operator circuit relays 8,10 and 18 and the cord-pair relays as-33 and 34, etc., are disabled` so that the said -tones will then not be applied responsive to manipulating any of the listening keys. The button of this key (DK) may be depressed part wayto open its grounded'spring, whereupon it will selfrestore when the pressure-is removed. 4If itis depressed further vdown it will lock so that it will require a special pull to'unlock the tone from source T,

is provided in case the operator wishes to repeat should the subscriber not immediately give his order, for instance.

i momentary depressing of the the button of key The operator will momentarily depress the button of this key (RK) to open the conductor leading from the armatures 7 and 14 and thus apply ground to the conductor lead'- ing from the the armature 30, having'A in mind that the right-hand pair of springs -of the key RK are adjusted to follow so that the said ground is Vapplied before the said openinv occurs. The l button of key RK thus causes the relay corresponding to 33 companion to the listening key operated to sustain and therefore not apply the tone from source T to the calling line, and it causes the' relays 10 and 18 to momentarily restore and relay 8 to momentarily actuate, thereby applying a momentary tone from source T (proceeded and followed by a bat-- tery click) audible to the arty on the calling line and the operator. ie key RK may be momentarily depressed or it may be sustained depressed mechanically locked as long asv desired. The first battery click occurs when RK is de ressed when armature 17 retracts and the ast battery click and tone occurs when the button of key RK is released.

In the use of the key RK, the tone from source T is not applied because the relay as) 33 is not deenergized; at least not deenergized long enough to retract its armatures.

In this connection, it will be noted that if the operator but momentarily depresses the lbutton of key RK the tone applied from the source T resultant thereto will be the same asi it were depressed longer. This because when relay 10 vret-racts its armature 14 the relay 8 cannot be thereafter energized to attract armature 2Q until relay 18 has first retracted its armature 7. Then, when armature 7 retracts, the relays 8 and 10 will apply tone for the period determined by the slow-re leasing characteristic of relay 8. Thus the duration of the tone applied from source T will always be the same.l

It will be clear that if the battery clicks are not desired, the relay 18 tact placed on relay 10, and the resting contact of armature 7 (placed as a resting contact 10 cannot be reenergized tocut ofi' any tone being applied unt-il the relay 18 has had time make contact cooperative with' will be disconnected and the armature 30 and its make conto retract itsarmature 7 to reestablish the energizing path to the Winding of relay 8.

' Preferred mod'zcatz'ons.

which is shown in Fig. 1 from the one shown in Figs. 2 and 3 relates to the control of the auxiliary springs thereof. That is, in place of the two sets of auxiliary springs 5-6 and -31-32 being electively operated practically coincident with the effective operation of the listening springs of the key, the insulation members e and f in Fig. 1 are shortenedas shown by in Fig. 2. The designated parts in Figs. 2 and 3 corresponding to parts in Fig. 1 are primed. Also, the member e is operatedby the upper listening key spring, while the member e is operated by the second from the top listening spring. The upper listening spring in Fig-2 is made slightly longer than shown in Fig. 1 to accommodate thismodification.

This modification of the members e and f admit of operating the listening key cam shown in Fig. 3 for operating the key springs by stages. That is, a limited operation of the cam 42 operates only a further operation of the cam 42' operates only the lower set of auxiliary springs 5- 6 (in addition to the operated listening springs, of course) to cause the tone source T to be applied to apprise the calling party that the operator has come in on his line. A still further operation of the cam 42 operates the set of springs 3132 in addition to other said operated springs, so that when the cam 42 is restored to its iirst antecedent position or its normal position, the tone source T will be applied. v

From the foregoing, it will be clear that it is optional with the operator in-nianipulating lier listening key lever (attached to cani 42') to: 1. To simply listen in on the cord talking conductors. 2. To in addition to the latter, also apply a specific tone from source T so that the calling party will thereby know the operator is in listening relation to his line, into which 'the answering plug is inserted. 3. To, in addition, prepare the circuits by a further operation of the listening key so that when the cam 42 is restored to the first antecedent position or to the normal osition a secifc tone from source T will the listening springs;

corresponding members e and f" .respectively v `into the various olf-normal said pos1t1ons,the

second time, if no response is had lfrom the calling party, perhaps, restore the cam to the first off-normal position and then return it to the second or third o-normal position to csus. the Atone from source T to be again app iet.

The o erator may accustom herself to the feel o the lever of cam 42 when operating it so that she will appreciate from the varied resistance when the stages have been reached. The structure shown in Fig. 3 has a spring 45 having a catch-knob 46 which is adapted to register with notches 47, 48 and 49, c orresponding to the positions of the cams in the first, second and third off-normal osition, As the cam Ais moved o -normal catch-knob 46 will in falling or following into the notches under tension vary the obstruction offered the operator in movin the cam lever 43 and thus she is informed o the-position the cam is assuming. The said notches 47 to 49 are so curved that the return of the cam finds lessabrupt shoulders to flex the spring by, so that the effort required to return the cam to normal position is more uniform than when moving it from normal position. The key levers and cams generally like shown in Fig. 3, but without the notches 47 to 49 and the spring 45, are old in the art for'operating key sprin Y In general operation, t e oplerator will first throw the lever 43 into the t ird or extreme off-normal position to produce the effect of the listening key as shown in Fig. 1, but there .will be times when the operator may desire to effect a variation as by not ap lying any tone when listeninor in on an esta lished connection or when dzesiring to re-apply a tone from source T, for example, and the preferred embodiment incorporating the disclosures in Y' chanically lock the keys TK,

' being similar in mechanical operation Figs. 2 and 3 lends to this end, though the keys TK, RK and DK are provided as an alternative means by which the operator may 'attain some of the advantages of the said preferred features involved 1n Figs. 2 and 3, and other features. l

It will be noted that if the operator restores cam 42' from the third olf-normal position to the first olf-normal position and returns it to the third off-normal position quickly before relay 33 has had time to retract its armature the tone from source T will not then be applied, though tone from source T will be applied for its normal momentary duration, governed by relay 8.

The key TK is to disable the tone from source T being applied to any cord-pair of the operators switchboard. The button ofI said key TK may be slightly depressed to operate self-restoring or way-down to me- RK and DK l and whereinone key of each kind serves for the been introduced as an auxiliary indication supplementing the tone.

. The embodiment chosen to exemplify the presentinvention, as before stated, involves a magneto telephone system cord-pair; one of the simplest cord-pairs used in the commercial telephone art. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific said type or class of cord-pair and that therefore common-battery or other types of cord-pairs may be employed involving the present mvention, as well as modifying the details of the operators switchboard circuits,

without departing from the scope ofthe present invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an answerino key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone to the lug to thereby effect a talking connection rom said telephone to said line, a tone source, and

automatic means made effective responsive to said key 'operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line.

2. In a telephone system, a telephoneline,

-a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for con necting t e o erators telephone to the plug to thereby e ect a talking connectionv from said telephone to said line, a tone source, a source of battery current, and automatic means made effective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source and an impulse from said battery source to said line.

3. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a Vjack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an

vanswering key manually operated for connecting theoperators telephone to the plug to thereb effect a talking connection from said telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made effective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line, another tone source, and means for momentarily applying last said tone Source to said line responsive to restoring said key.

4. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an answering -key manually o erated for con necting the operators telep ione to the lug to thereby eifect a talking connection rom said telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made ciiectlve responslve to said key operation for connecting and disconnecting said tone source to said line whilemaintaining the operators telephone in connection with said line, another tone source, and means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key.

5. In a telephone system, a telephone l1ne, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connectlve cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone to the plug .to thereby effect a talking connection from sald telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made effective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying sald tone source to said line, another tone source, means for momentarily applying last s aid tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key, and means for operating said key to disconnect the operators telephone Without applying last said tone source to said line.

6. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting `plug for connective cooperatlon with said jack, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone to the plug to thereby effect a talking connection from said telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made eective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line, another tone source, means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key, means for enabling the restoring of said key for disconnecting the operator s telephone without applying last said tone source to said line, and means then enabling the operating of said key to re-connect the operators telephone and for Vthereby applying rst said tone source to Said line.

7. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for at will connecting and thereafter restored at will for disconnecting the operators telephone with relation to the plug to thereby effect. and subsequently destroy talking connection between said telephone and said line, a tone Source, and automatic means made effective by said key restoration for momentarily applying said tone source to said line.

8. -In a telephone system, a telephone line,'

a jack terminating said line, an operators connectlng plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an o erators telephone, an answering key manna ly operated or at w1ll connecting and then restored in one manner at will for disconnecti g the operators telephone with relation to the plug to thereby effeet and subsequentl destroy talking connection between said te ephone and said line, a tone source, and automatic means made effective by restoring said key in another manner different from said one manner for connecting and thereafter disconnecting said tone source with relation to said line while maintaining the operators 'telephone in connection with said line.

9. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a jack terminating said line, an operators connecting plug for connective cooperation with said jack, an operators telephone', an answering key manually o erated for at will connecting and therea ter restored at will for disconnecting the operators telephone with respect to the plug to thereby effect and subsequently destroy talkin connection between said telephone and sai line, a tone source, and automatic means made effective by said key restoration for momentarily applying said tone source to said line after the said disconnection of the operators telephone.

l0. In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telephone,l an answering key operated for connecting the operators telephone to said line, a tone source, and automatic means made elfective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line.v

11. In a telephone system, telephone lines, an operatorstelephone, an answering ke operated for connecting the operators telep one to adesired one of said lines at will, a tone source, and automatic means made effective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line.

l2. In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telephone, an answering key operated for connecting the operators telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made eiective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line, another tone source, and means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key.

13. In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made effective responsive to said ke operation for momentarily applying sai tone source to said line, another tone source, means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key, and means for operating said key to vdisconnectthe operators telephone without applying last said tone source to said line.

nsaid tone source to said line responsive to restoring said key, means for restoring said key for disconnecting the operators telephone without applying said tone source to i said line, and means for then operating said key to re-conn'ect the operators telephone vand for momentarily re-applying first said tone source to said line.

15. In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for connecting the operato'rs telephone to said line, a tone source, automatic means made effective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to s aidA line, another tone source, means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line responslve to restoring said key, means including a slowacting relay for restoring said key for disconnecting the .operators telephone without applying last said tone 'source to said line, and means for then operating said key to re-connect the operator s telephone and for thereby momentarily re-applying first said tene source to said line. l

16. In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telep one, an answering key manually operated for at will connect.

ing and thereafter restored at will for disconnecting the operators telephone with relation to theline to thereby effect and subsequently destroy talking connection between said telephone and said line, a tone source, and automatic means made effective by said restoration for momentarily applying said tone source to said line.

17. Ind a telephone s stem, a telephone line, an operators telep one, an answering key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone to said line,` a tonel source, automatic means made effective resequently destro sponsive to said' key operationl for momen-:$0v

taril applying said tone source to said line, anot er tone source, means for momentarily applying last said tonesource to said line responsive to restoring said key, and automatic means for enabling said key to re-apply first said tone source without applying second saidtone source. y

18. ,In a telephone system, a telephone line, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for connecting the loperators telephone to said line, a tone source,

rautomatic means made eective responsive to said key operation for momentarily applying said tone source to said line, another tone source, means for momentarily applying last said tone source to said line respon- `sive to restoring said key, and automatic means for enabling restoring and re-operating said key to thereby apply only first said' tone source to the line.

19. In a telephone system, 'a telephone line, an operators telep one, Yan answering key manually operated for connecting the operators telephone tol said line, a tone source, automatic means madeeffective responsive to said key operation forl applying said tone source to said line, another tone source, means for applying last said tone source to said line responsive to restoring saidy key, and automatic means for enabling restoring and re-'operating said key totherepy apply only first said tone source to the ine.

a 20. In a telephone s stem, a telephone line, an operators telephone, an answering key manually operated for at will connecting and thereafter restored at will for disconnecting theoperators telephone with relation to the line to thereby effect and subtalking connection between said telep onev and said line, a tone source, and automatic means made eicctive by said restoration for vapplying said tone source to said line. l

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribel my name this ninth ay` of May, 1927.

HERBERT` M. FRIENDLY. 

